Energy Efficiency Tips For Your HVAC System

There are many benefits to having an energy efficient HVAC system from saving money on utility bills to improving the life of your system. If you are wanting to start benefiting from increasing your efficiency, Royal Heating & Air offers some tips to increase the efficiency of your system. 

Regular Maintenance

An improper working HVAC system could increase your utility bills. Having maintenance done on your HVAC system twice a year by a professional HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you become more energy efficient by being able to spot potential problems before they become a larger issue. In addition to having maintenance done, it is also important to keep your system clean. Check your filter once a month and change as needed. You may need to change it more frequently if you have pets. It's also a good idea to keep vents clean by wiping them down. 

Seal Up Leaks

Sealing up your home is one of the best ways to become more energy efficient. If your home is not properly sealed up, your HVAC system may have to work harder to make up for the air that is being lost. Here are some common places where leakage can occur:

• Electrical receptacles and outlets
• Mail outlets
• Holes around pipes and wires
• Dampers by the fireplace
• Worn weather stripping around doors
• Baseboards and window frames

If you seal up these areas, you can rest assure that your home will not lose warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. 

Use A Programmable Thermostat 


You can help save energy by adjusting the thermostat when you're away from home or while you're sleeping. A programmable thermostat can do this automatically for you without sacrificing comfort, as you can program a set schedule that will adjust the temperature for you before you wake up or come back home. It's important to remember not to make drastic changes when setting the thermostat. During the summer, setting the thermostat at a colder setting than normal will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling, which could result in unnecessary expenses. 

Proper Insulation

In addition to making sure your home is sealed up, you should also check to ensure your home has the proper amount of insulation. When your home is properly insulated, your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard to warm up or cool down your home. If your home is feeling a little drafty in the winter or it takes a while to cool down in the summer, it may be wise to have a professional check to see if your home has enough insulation. 

Plant Trees For Shade

If your home is older and has poor insulation and windows, planting trees (particularly deciduous trees) could help you save energy. In the summer, the foliage helps block sunlight that would warm the house, while in the winter, the bare branches allow this light through that helps keep your home warm. However, if your home is newer with very good insulation and Energy Star (or better) window, the effect is much smaller. 

Upgrade HVAC System

Many older systems are not energy efficient, meaning they constantly waste energy and increase your utility bills. Older HVAC systems waste energy cycling on and off. New systems with variable speed technology run longer at a lower power and minimize the on and off cycle, which helps you save money. If you are thinking about upgrading your system and energy efficiency is important to you, make sure the new systems you look at are Energy Star Qualified. The energy star program ensures that all endorsed appliances exceed federal standards for energy efficiency. 

Hopefully, with these tips, you can start seeing the benefits of an energy efficient HVAC system. Royal Heating & Air is here for you for maintenance or installation on your HVAC system. We are also here for emergency situations too with our 24/7 emergency service. If you find yourself without heat this winter, call the best HVAC repair company at the Lake of the Ozarks at 573-480-4313.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Tips To Staying Safe With Alternative Heat Sources

During the winter, we rely on our furnaces and heat pumps to keep us warm. When they aren't working properly, you call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks. At Royal Heating & Air, we work hard to make sure you and your family are nice and warm all winter long. However, it is always a good idea to have a backup heat source in case of something unexpected, such as a fireplace or a space heater. Lake of the Ozarks best HVAC repair company offers some tips to keeping safe if you do need to use these alternative heat sources.

1. Only Use Items Intended For Heat

Experts advise against using a propane grill or kitchen oven to stay warm because materials in or near those devices could ignite and create a fire. While it may seem like a good idea to use your oven or grill for heat, these items are not intended to be a heating source. Cooking is a great way to add heat to your home, however, you shouldn't rely on it for an alternative heat source.

2. Carefully Inspect Space Heaters Before Use

Typically, space heaters are only used for a few months out of the year. Because of this, it is important to make sure that it is in good condition before you start using it. Ensure the cord is not frayed and it is free of any dust before plugging it in.

3. Regular Maintenace

If you have a wood or pellet stove or a fireplace, it is important to have them inspected annually. These inspections can help prevent fire hazards, such as an animal nesting in your chimney during the off-season. Having your chimney swept before the beginning of each season can help ensure it is in proper working order, as a professional can also spot the signs of other issues.

4. Keep An Eye On Space Heaters

While there are some devices that are safe to be left on while you're out, space heaters should never be left unattended, especially if you have kids or pets. It is also best to leave at least three feet of clearance between the device and any flammable material, such as plants, paper, bedding or curtains. Because of these issues, it may be better to pile on the blankets at night rather than run a space heater while you sleep. You may be tempted to have the space heater next to the bed at night, however, having a blanket or quilt fall off the bed or get too close to the heater could lead to a fire.

At Royal Heating & Air, our goal is to keep you and your family safe and warm all winter long. If your furnace or heat pump isn't working to your standard this winter, call Lake of the Ozarks best heating and cooling company at 573-480-4313. We will work hard to make sure your main heating source is up and running in no time!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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5 Furnace Features That Protect Your Home

With any gas installation comes the risk of overheating, gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. However, modern furnaces not only run more efficiently than ever before, they also come equipped with advanced safety features that make these issues very rare. At Royal Heating & Air, we want to make sure when you install a furnace at the Lake of the Ozarks you have all your questions answered. Here are some of the key safety features that you will find in furnaces that help protect your home from any gas related issues. 

1. Limit Switch

The limit switch is programmed to switch off the furnace if it is at risk of overheating. Before the limit switch was installed, this would have meant an explosion, however, limit switches have kept this from becoming a fear. Some modern limit switches are combined with the fan switch, so if the fan failed to turn on, the furnace will not overheat.  

2. Air Pressure Switch

In newer furnaces, there is an additional blower that helps ventilate byproducts of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, away from the home and through the flue. If there is not enough air pressure moving through the flue, the unit will shut down as the air pressure switch signals the control board to do so. 

3. Flame Sensor

The flame sensor is one of the most important parts in preventing gas leaks. This sensor detects when there is no longer a flame at the burner, and shuts off the gas after a set amount of time. In older furnaces, this was called the thermocouple. 

4. Thermocouple

In older furnaces with traditional pilot lights, the thermocouple is a safety device that checks whether or not the pilot light is burning properly. The thermocouple is connected to the gas valve that leads to the pilot light and has a sensor that detects heat from the burning flame. If the flame goes out or is burning weakly, the thermocouple shuts off the gas supply to the pilot light in order to prevent gas from leaking into other parts of your furnace. 

5. Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Although carbon monoxide detectors are not part of your furnace, they're closely linked to the safety of your furnace, as they will warn you if your system has a carbon monoxide leak. Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems offers an alarm that uses sophisticated electronics and unmated sensor technology to detect the CO levels in your home. 

Keeping You Warm & Safe

At Royal Heating & Air, our goal is to keep you warm all winter long. However, when it comes to running a gas furnace, there are risks of overheating and gas leaks. Luckily, modern furnaces run more efficiently than ever before and come with advanced safety features that make these safety issues very rare. If you need to make sure your furnace won't run into any of these issues or if you need to update your existing furnace, contact the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks at 573-480-4313. We can help make your furnace run smoothly all winter long! 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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